Exodus

The mass exodus has begun. Its summertime here and schools are letting out and so the expat population in the city is dwindling. The Egyptian population also leaves the city for the north coast in the summer. It’s just too damn hot in the city for anyone.

I'm headed home soon after a week back on the beaches of Sinai.

It seems people can’t get out quick enough. It’s like everyone has senioritis – checking out early. Every week there are several “leaving parties.” I so prefer this term to the American “good-bye parties.” It just sounds better.

I have met some really incredible people here and I am in awe that I now have friends from around the world. Some days, it’s really hard to say goodbye to my Cairo friends. I think about how big the universe is and know I will not see some of these people again. But on my better days, I am reminded that it is a small world after all. I will miss seeing these friends daily but it is so easy to keep in touch now with email and Face Book. And I trust - I know - I will see them when the world comes around again.

My time in Egypt has been one wild ride; a roller coaster with extreme highs and lows and twists and turns and loopty-loops.

I am not the same person who was scared to death on that first cab ride to Mokattam without my trusty driver and friend Hamdy, or the girl who was trampled at Mogamma while trying to get a work visa. By now I am often directing the taxi drivers – in my best Arabic - and showing them short-cuts. Some of the drivers even recognize me as the only Westerner who lives in Mokattam and take me to my door without a word from me.

But have no fear, I am still the same outspoken woman who was brave – or crazy – enough to take the leap to move out here, and who speaks up when I feel it necessary, if people want to hear it or not and who set several Muslim men straight about what this American women will and will not tolerate.

So, I have grown a lot but I have also solidified who I am in many respects. Let’s hope I made the right choices on when to grow and when to stand my ground. Only time and the next roller coaster ride will tell.